New Zealand First continues to bring balance, experience, and commonsense to Government. During the month of June, we made progress on many of our promises to New Zealand.

An update on Winston's War on Woke

During June our leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters, continued to fight for the values that make us all New Zealanders.

• Winston blasted Te Pati Maori for their contempt for democracy, calling them out for their extremist views and actions. As he put it, "The Maori Party are extremists. They don't want democracy. They want anarchy."
• Speaking at the Grey Power annual general meeting Winston renewed New Zealand First's call for sensible immigration - "We need to bring in people New Zealand Needs, not that need us. We don't need more Uber drivers or chefs."
• Winston joined fellow Government ministers, including our very own Casey Costello, in announcing a suite of law-and-order reforms, including our long-standing commitment to protect our first responders from assaults, as well as real consequences for a 'coward punch.'

Alongside all of this work, Winston has also been representing New Zealand's interest abroad in his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs which included a stint in Europe and Indonesia.

Shane Jones - the people's champion

June saw Shane announce a range of Regional Infrastructure Fund projects and allocations, challenge Iwi over their 'hamster wheel politics', and take on Regional Councils.

• From investment in energy to water resilience, the Regional Infrastructure Fund is being put to good use, with Shane announcing more projects across the nation that will boost our regions and create jobs and growth for all Kiwis.
• "No more hamster wheel politics." That was the message Shane had for Iwi leadership last month, particularly Ngapuhi whose renegade hapu are seeking separate sovereignty from the Crown - not on our watch.
• Shane has rallied against the absurdity of Regional Councils, who seem determined to stifle growth at every opportunity - "No more Regional Council back room deals or Kremlin-like hatred of economic development"

Keep up to date with all of Shane's work by following him on Facebook.

Casey's serious response to some serious problems

Casey was very focused on 'consequences for one's actions' during June, calling out the Greens' politics of envy, the Maori Party's performative outrage, and continuing work to restore law and order.

• Casey joined Winston in announcing a range of law-and-order reforms, but she also progressed work to fight back against organised crime in New Zealand. Read her summary article on her work fighting organised crime here.
• Casey blasted the Greens for calling for 'minority rule' highlighting that is in fact "tyranny, not democracy"
• Pushing back against the Maori Party's victim complex, Casey blasted them for their "performative outrage"

Mark is doing the hard yards for Rural Communities

With Fieldays last month, June was a busy time for our rural champion, Mark Patterson.

• Mark has been busy meeting with stakeholders across rural sectors, including The Whanganui Port redevelopment project, Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award, Taieri Blokes Shed, New Zealand Farm Environment Awards, Rural Health Roadshow, and NZ Young Farmer of the year awards.
• Mark also announced a government investment package that backs our farmers - $3 million to boost Rural Support Trusts and $2 million to double the Rural Wellbeing Fund.
• While at Fieldays Mark took the opportunity to answer to the question “what’s happening with wool.”
• And as always, New Zealand First had a strong presence at Mystery Creek Fieldays, check out Mark's recap post here.

Jenny is connecting with Kiwi communities

Jenny Marcroft has been busy connecting with different communities, advocating for forgotten voices and issues that aren't usually picked up by the mainstream media.

• In the heart of the Waikato, Jenny met with a range of rural representatives at the annual Fieldays to discuss rural connectivity and what the 3G cut off means for our rural communities, and how they can prepare.
• Jenny accepted a petition to regulate the public sale of fireworks, shaking ‘hands’ with the face of the Ban Fireworks movement.
• Jenny spent the morning of Youth Parliament, day one, showing the youth MPs of New Zealand First Politicians through the NZF office, Caucus meeting room, and other important places in parliament.
• Jenny has been on the ground in her local area supporting oyster farmers in the Mahurangi region who are under immense pressure after numerous WaterCare failures.

Jamie's on the go!

Jamie Arbuckle has been hitting the road and meeting with kiwis across the country to talk all things horticulture, meet with our local New Zealand First teams, and bring updates to the public.

• Celebrating kiwi ingenuity, Jamie and Jenny stopped in at the Rocket Lab event at parliament to celebrate New Zealand's emerging space industry.
• Jamie has been across the nation meeting with local New Zealand First committees as they hold their annual general meetings. Stops in June included Levin, Waikato, Kaikoura, and Rotorua - with many more on the way, check out our events calendar to see where all of our MPs will be over the next month. 
• Jamie joined Winston as he announced infrastructure upgrades in Picton as part of the work undertaken by KiwiRail and Ferry Holdings.

It's all about Transport and Infrastructure for Andy

• Andy was thrilled to go aboard HMAS Canberra and to catch up with old friends from Australia’s capital. They reminded him that he signed the Wellington City invitation asking the Australian flagship to visit when he was Mayor.
• On 7 June, Andy attended the opening of the new Tararua Highway - A new 11.5km $850 million road that will be a huge boon for travellers, especially local communities on either side of the Ruahine - Tararua ranges.
• As chair of the Transport and Infrastructure committee, Andy hears from many groups. Pictured here below, Pass Wide & Slow NZ presented their case on why road users should show respect, take care, take time - and pass wide and slow around horse riders.

The New Zealand First caucus are holding public meetings across the country this winter. Come along to a meeting near you and hear updates about what the team is achieving in parliament as we lead up to our annual convention in September.

Check out the events page of our website for all the latest meeting details.